Review: Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Armagnac

Barrell Bourbon is back on our radar with the latest Cask Finish Series. As a reminder, this is a limited-edition line of specialty finished bourbons that has included some pretty adventurous offerings like Ice Wine. We named that whiskey the best of 2024 and, to our knowledge, something like it has yet to be replicated by any other American whiskey makers.

For this newest Cask Finish, Barrell turned to Armagnac, which is not quite as adventurous as ice wine but still pretty unique in the bourbon world joining the likes of Bhakta and Doc Holliday, among very few others. As with other Cask Finish releases, Barrell starts with an elaborate mix of bourbons sourced from a variety of producers – in this case, the familiar trifecta of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana – and across a wide range of ages. This particular blend boasts some of the older Barrell stock we’ve encountered in the series with bourbons as old as 15 years but no less than 7 years. The finishing specifics remain a mystery, (also something of trend with these releases). Let’s check it out.

Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series Armagnac Review

Armagnac can be a pretty punchy, peppery cask for finishing (or blending, for that matter), and I’ve yet to taste a whiskey that pulled off the perfect integration. But this probably gets about as close as I’ve tasted. The nose shows a particularly deft balance of bourbon and finishing cask with top notes of golden raisin, candied ginger, caramel candies, and clove syrup. It’s soft and silky and not at all suggestive of a bourbon over 100 proof. As it opens in the glass, a generous nutty quality develops, almost peanut butter but not quite.

It’s exceptionally sweet on the palate which perhaps helps to tame some of the characteristic spice and tannin in the Armagnac cask. Syrupy notes of marmalade and orgeat give way to a simmering midpalate of cinnamon syrup, candied orange peel, black cherry, and cola. The finish is long and exceptionally rich with decadent notes of chocolate pecan pie and sweet tea. If you like Armagnac or spicier bourbons, this might not be your jam, but fans of big, sweet bourbons will absolutely love it.

113 proof.

A- / $85

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